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Behind a 40-point explosion in the second half, Stepinac ran away from Canisius, 49-28, to win its second Catholic state football title in four years.

The state title game was played Saturday, Nov. 25 in West Seneca, N.Y.

"We are very proud of that accomplishment," said Stepinac Coach Mike O'Donnell. "This years state run was very special because no one expected it."

Stepinac lost its last regular season game before playoffs began. "It really forced the team to refocus," O'Donnell told Daily Voice. "We had to win the last three games on the road, each week in poor weather."

"We were losing each game but the team didn't panic," O'Donnell said. "They just kept working hard."

Stepinac senior Trill Williams scored seven touchdowns during the last three weeks, and according to O'Donnell, "made highlight play after highlight play."

Williams plans to play for Syracuse University's football team next fall.

Crusaders quarterback Michael Nicosia broke the high school's all-season yardage and touchdown records. Nicosia racked up more than 5,000 yards passing and 55 touchdowns in two years.